Integrating AI into the education system while maintaining human connections and addressing system inequities, is indeed fodder for deep contemplation. The October 29 LFBC Thought Leaders session with Rod Allen moderating a conversation between Rohan Arul-pragasam [Superintendent – Chilliwack] and Chris Kennedy [Superintendent – West Vancouver] raised many possibilities and challenges that must be considered.
There are some core ‘learnings’ from the session.
Leadership in fostering student and staff well being is important. The Human Flourishing movement that emphasizes the need to focus on empathy, connection and safe, inclusive spaces in schools, forces us to consider how to support a focus on school culture and the human aspect of our work.
The conversation touched on:
● AI and human learning,
● AI integration in education transformation,
● AI impact on educational equity, and
● AI in education, opportunities and challenges
Rohan emphasized the need to redefine human learning by elevating socio-cognitive and meta-cognitive capabilities in schools, focussing on adults’ roles in fostering these changes. This is generational work, leading to a relationship economy.
Chris discussed the balance of using AI to assist educators and students, ensuring that it supports rather than replaces critical thinking and enhances learning, with the teacher as the role of facilitator.
Rod questioned how the human connection between teacher and the student might live in AI-integrated classrooms, prompting further discussion.
The importance of integrating AI tools within a broader transformation of the school system as well as enhancing the work of educators and students leads to the importance of acquiring competency in the use of AI along with guidelines.
Equity has many facets. Some are using AI as a tutor, automating tasks, inequity in systems, need to critically evaluate AI sources, understanding the biases and limitations of different AI tools, and the risk of corporations controlling AI development.
Technology needs to serve humanity. AI needs to be designed with equity as its core. The integration of AI in education can enhance human flourishing by providing more time with students and enhance human flourishing and support teaching and learning. It is a change in mindset. Educators and policy makers need to adapt to new technologies and adapt to a rapidly changing landscape. Strong leadership is central.
As a closing exercise participants were asked to ponder what a school might look like in 5-10 years. One individual’s personal reflection addresses some possibilities and challenges:
“In the last 10 years we have seen the importance of growing personal and professional networks. Knowledge has become more easily accessible and the role of schooling has shifted to a greater emphasis on individual learning paths and support for student agency. Curriculum is focused on core competencies and assessment has evolved. Many traditional tasks are now more easily done with the aid of technology and this is happening at an accelerating speed daily. Covid created many opportunities for students and teachers to explore and engage in online learning. In recent years student attendance issues have become a growing concern.
As the availability of support for creation and implementation grows, the role of your schools and teachers will need to evolve to ensure ongoing relevance to students and society. Schools will need to become a gathering place where AI supports individualized exploration of areas of passion and the community of learners support the development of skills that allow humans to flourish – adaptive problem solving, ethical decision making, aesthetic appreciation, and a sense of personal value and wellbeing.”
Sue Elliott and Corrine McCabe
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